Assay Development Specialist

We are seeking a skilled, motivated, and versatile individual to help build a highly collaborative, successful drug discovery and development team within the CMR group in Boston. The ideal candidate should possess a solid background in cell culture and cell-based functional assays, playing an essential role in advancing our discovery initiatives and pipeline projects centered on anti-obesity therapeutics. In this role, the candidate will support assay development and perform established assays to validate new Clients and characterize the in vitro functions of Client therapeutics. Furthermore, the candidate will handle setting up essential laboratory capabilities and work with other scientists both within and across departments to meet project and departmental objectives.

Interested in exploring innovative science? Apply now to join the Client Team.

Key position requirements/responsibilities include:

• Technical/scientific skills. Expertise in the following is a must-have:Aseptic cell culture techniques with mammalian cells.
• Transient transfections and generation of stable cell lines.
• Development of cell-based functional assays, biochemical and enzymatic assays and screening of Client therapeutics in 96-/384-well plate formats at a single concentration or in a concentration/response manner.
• Knowledge of basic pharmacology (e.g. concentration/response curves, determination of binding affinity, potency, Hill’s slope and in vitro efficacy). Mechanism of action studies of drugs.
• Experience with colorimetric, luminescence and fluorescence-based readouts, including HTRF. Proficient in operating plate readers, liquid handling robots and assay automation.
• Design, develop, and optimize in vitro enzymatic assays e.g., ADP-Glo, Kinase-Glo assays
• Gene expression studies by qPCR, western blot and FACS techniques.

Soft skills:

• Proficient oral and written communication skills and ability to work both independently and in teams.
• Requirement for accurate record keeping and independent data analysis. Will perform work in full compliance with Client Research Policies and complete all required training activities in the timeframe specified.
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize work on multiple projects, timelines and company goals.
• Eager to grasp fundamental principles, swiftly acquire new abilities, and adjust to Client challenges.

Minimum qualifications:

• B.S. and/or M.S. in biology, pharmacology, biochemistry or related field.
• 8-10 years of laboratory experience.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• Experience/expertise with the following is a plus: Native cell lines and primary cell cultures, iPSCs, co-cultures, 3D cultures.
• Industry experience.
• Exposure to multiple therapeutic Client classes (e.g. membrane receptors, including G-Protein Coupled Receptors or GPCRs, enzymes, transporters, etc.) and multiple modalities (small molecules, pepProducts, antibodies, siRNAs, etc.).
• Experience with ELISA assays.
• Working knowledge or background in cardiometabolic diseases.